Best available cop



Oct. 23; 1928.

1,688,813 H. H. IDE

VARIABLE CONDENSER Filed June 23,l 1924 4y In 227 EW y.

Patented oa. 23, 1928. 1,688,813

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY H. IDE, F LA GRANGE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO KELLOGG SWITCHBOARD AND SUPPLY COMPANY, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

VARIABLE CON DEN SER.

Application led June 23, 1924. Serial No. 721,627.

My invention relates to condensers and has Referring to the drawing; 55 to do more particularly With variable con- Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of the condensers with an air dielectric, such as are now denser of my invention; in general use in radio or Wireless sets, and Fig. 2 is a right side View of Fig. 1 with an object of my invention is the provision of the dial and Vernier button removed;

an improved condenser of the variable type, Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of Fig.` l and G0 which is provided With structural features Showing certain parts thereof out away to which will facilitate assembly of a condenser show other parts of my condenser; of this type and,'at the same time, provide an Fig. 4 is a sectional View along the line 4 4 1o improved condenser structure which Will per- 0f Fig. 2 and also showing in section a part mit the eiiicient operation of the same and of the Vernier adjusting means of my con- 65 be of the low loss type.v denser;

The condenser of my invention is of the Fig. 5 is a plan View yof Fig. l; type 1n which the rotary plate element is ec- F ig.` 6V is a perspective view of one of the centrically located in relation tol the semi- Spacing members of my invention for spacing circular. fixedl plates,so that the capacity of the plates of the rotor and stator elements of 70 the Condenserl may-be made to vary in the demy condenser; sired manner, Which'of course, is Well under- Fig. 7 is a partialview of my condenser stood by` those 'skilledin the art. l showing the stop means for limiting the 2" One of the features of imyinvention isthe amount of rotation of the rotor element.

provisionof simple means for supporting the Referring now'in detail to my invention 75 rotor element and stator or fixed element of as illustrated inthe drawing R is the rotor my condenser inoperativeposition relative element While S is the fixed or stator element to each other. of luy-condenser. The rotor element R com J Another feature of my invention is the proprises a plurality of substantially semi-cirvision of simple lmeans for giving avernier cular plates 1 of some suitable conducting 80 adjustmentto the rotor element of lmy conmaterial, each'plate 1 having a semi-,circular denser relativeto A'the' fixed; orstator element p0rtion2 formedintgrally with the straight so that a veryline adjustment of the same `edge of-said `plate, andjprovidedvvith a suit- :io maybeefl'ected to obtain-:inefficient operation' able opening through which thev rotatable of my condenser. f shaft p3 extends. vThe plates l, which form S5 Still a further feature of myinvention. is theend plates of the rotor element R, each the provision of simple and dependable Vfrichave a ring member l4 soldered to its body tional means for maintaining the rotor ele portion 2, each of saidv ring members having a ment in its adjusted position. Vrelative -to the suitable central opening Whichjis adapted to fixed or stator element of my condenser. align With the opening in the portion-2 of its 90 Another feature o-f my invention` is the associated end plate 1. In assembling the means provided" and the 'manner inwhich I plates l of the rotor element R the same will Space and secure theplates of the rotor ele- .be placed in a suitable fixture provided for 40 ment together to form a single mountable 'assemblingfpurposeg so vthat the plates to unit, and also the plates'of the fixed or stator which are soldered the ring members 4 will 95 element of my condenser to form another be one at each end. Right angularly shaped single unit. 1 members 5 are provided, each of which is pro A further feature is the provisionof means vided With a plurality of slots 6, correspOndfor adjusting the plates of the rotor element ing in number to the number of plates l of the and the plates'of the stator element of my inrotor element. A spacing member 5 is posi- 10o vention relative to each other without diss tioned in the angle 7, formed by the plate l assembling any part of my condenser. andits body portion 2, sothat a portion 8 of The above features, as Well as others, will the plates 1 will protrude through openings all he more 'clearly and specifically pointed out or slots 6 provided in the spacing member 5.

in the ensuing specification and appended When the plates 1 are engaging the slots 6 105 claims, and for a clearer understanding of in the spacing member 5 as just pointed out, the same reference may be had' to 'the acsolder Will be applied to the protruding porcompanying drawing. tions 8 whereby the plates lare soldered to each other and secured individually to th'e spacing member 5. Another spacing member 5 will be placed in the opposite angle e-orresponding to that of angle 7 in the same manner as just described. Thus it will be 'f seen that the plates 1 of the rotor element R are secured in the slots 6 of a pair of spacing members 5 to form a single unit and thatsaid plates are separated and uniformly1 spaced from each other by said pair of spacing menibers 5. i

' Referring` now to the fixed or stator element S of my condenser, the same comprises a plurality of semi-circular plates 10, formed of suitable conducting material, and each having a portion of its' body cut away to form an arcuate shaped recess 11 for'purposes to be pointed out later. Spacing members 12 and 12 having theiron'e edge 1-'3 turned over substantially at right anglestov the main body portion thereof are provided. Eaclrxnember 12 and 12 is provided with a plurality of slots 14 in the turned over edge"l3, corresponding in number to the number of plates 10. In assembling the plates of the stator elementI S, the sameare placed in a suitable iixture provided for assembling the plates 10 of said stator element'S. Wien the plateslO are placed into the assembling fixture the spacing'members 12and 12". are positioned on the plates 10 as shownvin Figs. 2 and 3 so that one of Ithe plates -10 will engage one slot 14 in each of the spacing members 12 and 12', the slot le being deep enough to permit a portion 15 of the plate 10 to V.extend below the turnedA over edge 13.'4 Solder -is now applied to the extending portions:- 15 of theplates 10 whereby the said plates 10are soldered to the spacing members 12 and 12. A pair of spacing members 5, similar in 'construction to spacing members 5 of the rotor: element R, are also provided for thestator element S. ri'Che corners 1G of the plates 10 are adapted to extend through the slots provided in the spacing members 5 whereupon solder is applied to the protruding corners 16 to secure the plates 10 in theslots'of Athe said spacing members 5. Thus it is apparent that the pla-tes 10 of the stator element are secured in the slots of the spacing members 5 and members 12 and 12 to form a single unit, and are separated and uniformly. spaced from each other by said spacing members.

Having described `the construction and manne-r of assemblage of the rotor and stator elements of my condenser, I will now describe how the same are supported in operative relation to each other.

A U-shaped supporting member 18 having au inwardly extending web member 19 integrally formed therewith, Ais provided. The

stator element S is disposed between the legs 20 and 21 of the U-shaped member 18 and is secured and supported in position by means of a pair of insulation strips 22 and 23 which are separated by and secured to the web member 19 by screws 24 which extend through suitable openings iu the said strips 22 and 23 and have screw-threaded engagement with suitably tapped oriices in the said web member 19. The spacing members 12 and 12 of the stator element `hS engage the insulation strips 22 and 23 respectively and are secured to said strips by means of suitable bolts or screws 25 and 25Which are secured in said strips 22 and 23 respectively and extend through suitable openings in the spacing members 12 and 12 respectively and have screw threaded engagement with suitably tapped mits 26 and 26. The openings in the insulating strips 22 and 23 are slightly larger than the diameter of the screws 24 for purposes to be pointed out later.

In a suitableopening in the free end of the leg 20 of the U-shaped member 18 is secured a cylindrical member 29 provided with a circumferential flange 30, integrally formed therewith, said member 29 extending through a suitable opening in the said leg 20 so that the flange 30 engages the inner face of said leg', and to secure the said member 29 in position a nut 31 is provided which has screw threaded engagement with the member 29 and is adapted to engage the outer face of the leg 20. One end of the central opening in the cylindrical member 29 is enlarged and coneshaped for' purposes to be subsequently pointed out.. Ina suitable opening in the free end of the 'leg 21 of the Ushapedmember 18 is secured a cylindrical member 33, which member 33 is provided with a circumferential flange 34 integrally formed therewith and adapted to eng-age the inner face of the leg 21, by means of a nut 35 which has screw threaded engagement with the said member 33 and is adapted to engage the outer face ol' the leg 21. One end of the central opening in the member 33 is enlarged and cone shaped for purposes to be hereinafter pointed out.

The rotor element R is now placed so that ythe Plates 1 engage the air spaces between the plates 10 of the fixed or stator element S. The rotatable shaft 3 is now inserted through the cent-ral opening in the member 29, and through a cylindrical member 37-l and then through the aligned openings in the ring members 4 and plates 1 of the rotor elementl R, through the opening in the cylindrical member 3S, and opening in the cylindrical member 33. The members 37 and 38 are slidable on the shaft 3 and the shaft 3 is rotatably supported in the cylindrical members 29 and 33. When the shaft 3 is positioned as just described above, the member 37 has its cone shaped end {it-ted into the. cone shaped portion of the opening in the cylindrical member 29 illand a set screw 4() is provided which extends through a threaded orifice in the said member 37 and is rotated inwardly to make frictional engagement with the shaft 3. Likewise i the member 38 has its cone-shaped end fitted into the cone-'shaped portion of the central openingr of a member 33 and a set screw 41 is provided which has screw-threaded engagement with a tapped orifice in the said member 38 and is rotated inwardly to make frictional engagement with the shaft 3. The members 37 and 38 are secured to the shaft 3 against rotary movement relative thereto by the set screws 40 and 41 respectively and the said members engaging the cylindrical ,abl ta ed orifices in the rin" members'4 .Y PP s are rotated to move the same inwardly to make frietional engagement with the shaft 3 whereby the rotary plate unit is secured on the shaft 3 against rotation and longitudinal movement thereon, and in its adjusted posr tion relative 'to the stator element S. The plates of the statorelement S may be adjusted as a unitrelative to the plates of the rotor element R by loosening a' certanone. or all` of the screws `24 depending on' the desired adjustment, which will permit a small amount of movement of the insulating-strip or strips supporting thestator element ,'S atthepointf. where the screw 24 isloosened Vand whenthe stator element is adjusted as desired fthe loosened screw or screws 24 areA tightened to .hold the strips-22 and 2.3.,respee-tively in their adjusted place. A terminal member 24 for receiving an external conductor is secured on the screw 25. and in engagement with the spacing member 12. by thenut 26.A

A washer 46 tits loosely over the protruding end of the shaft 3 and is adaptedto engage the end of the member 33 and the face. of the nut 35. The protruding endof the shaft 3 is reduced at 47 and is adapted to fit into a washer 4 8 which is held on the said reduced end by a. screw .49lwhieh engages a tapped oriee in the end of shaft 3, and a lock nut 50. A pig tail o r a ribbon 51 of conducting material has its one end soldered to the shaft 3 and then is wound around the shaft 3 between the washers 4Gand 48 and has its other end soldered to a conducting terminal 52 secured to the leg 2l of the U-shaped frame 18 by the screw 53. The conducting member 51 connects the rotor element R in circuit with the U-shaped frame 18 for the well known purposes. The loose itting Washer 46 serves to prei'ent the conduct-ing member 51 from catching on the rough edges of the member 33 and nut 35 when the shaft 3 is rotated.

The member 38 has a flange 54 integrally formed therewith which extends approximately half way around the said member 38, said Harige adapted to have its ends 55 and 55 .engage the right angular end 19 of the web member 19 of the U'shaped frame 18 to limit the degree of rotation of the. rotor element R to approximately 180 degrees. which will permit the plates 1 of the rotor element R to rest entirely between the plates 10 of the stator element S, or to clear the plates 1 of the said stator element S. The arcuate recesses 11 provided in the plates 10 of the stator ele-ment S permit rotation of the rotor element R.

To rotatably adjust the rotor element R relative to the stator element S of my eondenser and to hold the same in its adjusted position, I provide an arm member 57 which has its one end 58 bifurcated for receiving an eccentric member, and its other end formed to provide an adjustable clamping member 59. The adjustable clamping member 59 is adapted to tit over the end of the cylindrical member 29, and interposed between the said member 29 and said clamping member 59 is a split ring member 60 of fiber or some other suitable material.' 'A screw 61 is provided which extends through an opening in one of the extending ends of the clamping member 59 and has screw threaded engagement with a suitably tapped orifice in the other extending end of said clamping member 59. The member 59 isfso formed that its extending ends are slightly separated from each other and when the adjustable screw 61 is rotated in acertain'direction the said endsV are drawn towai'done another to clamp the'arm 57 and fiber ring 60 inposition on the cylindrical "member 29 but-not so tight that the said arm 57 and ring member 60 cannot rotate relative to said member 29, the members forming the clamping -members 59 are flexible enough.

' to permit this adjustment. By rotating the adjustable screw 61 any degree'of frictional enga ement may be obtained between the ring mem r 60 and the cylindrical member 29.l

A dial D of suitable insulatingmaterial is provided and has a central opening for receiving the free end of the shaft 3 and when in poslti'on on said shaft a set screw ext-end ing through said dial is rotated and brought into frictional engagement with the shaft 3 to prevent rotation of saiddial D on tho shaft 3 so that when the dial is rotated the shaft. 3 will operate to rotate the rotor element R relative to the stator element S. Near the circumferential` edge of the dial D is a screw threaded member 63 which extends through a suitable opening in a. bearing member 64 secured in the dial D, and has screw threaded engagement with a suitably tapped opening in an insulating button `or member 65, the other end of the member 63 being formed to provide a fiat head 66 for said member 63 which will prevent the displacement of said member 63 from the dial D. Integrally formed with the head 66 of the member 63 and eccentric relative thereto is an eccentric member 67 circular in shape and extending outwardly from the head 66, said eccentric member 67 adapted to engage and rest in the slot provided in the bifurcated end 58 of the arm 57 when the dial D is secured on the shaft 3.

Having described the construction of the condenser of my invention, I will now describe the operation of the same in adjusting the rotor element R relative to the stator element S.

To adjust the plates of the rotor element R relative to the plates 10 of the fixed or stator element S, and assuming that the rotor element is in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the dial D may be grasped by the operator and turned `in a clockwise direction whereby .the rotor element Rwill be rotated to adjust the same relative -to the stator element S. When thedial D is rotating the arm 57 and ring member 60 will also rotate around the cylindrical memberv 2 9,.in the same direction with the dial D, 'since the eccentric mem ber 67 engages the biurcated end 58 of the arm 57 and also due to the fact that the clamping member 59 and ringmember 60 are not clamped tootight on the said member 29 so that they 'are prevented from rotating thereon when the dial D-srotated.l The ring fiber.

member 60v has such frictional engagement with the cylindrical member 29 that when the dial D is-broughttol rest the arm57 willA remain in 1 this posit-ion and the 4said .dial 'D and shaft 3 will be held in the -position rotated to whereby the rotor element R will Abe held in its rotatably adjusted position. Now to obtain a finer adjustment ofthe rotor element R- relative to' tbevstator element S, the

operator Will rotate the button or insulating.

member in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction which will cause the eccentric member 67 to move within the bifurcated end 58 of the arm 57, and due to the fact that the said member 67 is eccentrically located relative to the head V65 of the rotatable member 63 and also engages the slot in the bifurcated en'd 58 of the arm 57, the dial D Willbe rotated one degree or less depending on the amo-unt of rotation of the button 65, which degree of rotation will be imparted to the rotor element R to rotate the same a like degree relative to the stator element S. The eccentric member 67 and the bifurcated end 58 of the arm 57 are arranged so thatby operating the but-ton 65 the rotor element R may be rotated one degree or less than one degree. When the button 65 is operated the arm member 57 does not move due to the rictional engagement of the ring fiber member 6() and the cylindrical member 29, and after the rotor element R is adjusted relative to the stator element S by the button 65, t-he same is maintained in this position by the frictional means, and the engagement of the eccentric member 67 in the slot of the bifurcated end 58 of the arm 57 as hereinabove described.

By having the frictional means arranged as described above for maintaining the rotor element R in its rotatably adjusted position instead of having the members 37 and 88 frictionally engaging the members 29 and 38 respectively for holding1r said rotor element R in its adjusted position a. better and smoother adjustment is afforded, for it has been experienced that certain irregularities appear between the faces of the members 29 and 37 and between the faces of the members 33 and 38 and which irregularities will not permit a very smooth movement ot' the rotor element R but by my frictional means a very smooth operation of the rotor element R is effected.

My condenser may be mounted on a suitarble mounting panel, such as that shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, by means of suitable screws which will pass through suitable openings in the mounting panel and then have screw-threaded engagement with suitable tapped orifices in the lugs grally formed with the leg 20 of the U-shaped frame 18. The screws may be tightened as much as possible without causing the shaft 3 to bind in the legs 20 and 21.

From the foregoing description and from the drawings it will be at once apparent that I have produced a condenser which is provided With simple means ffor adjusting the rotor and stator elements Without disassem- ,bling'mv condenser; that simplemeans are provided for supporting and spacing the plates of the rotor element and of the stator element; that simple adjustable means are provided for adjusting the rotor element on the rotatable shaft` and that adjustable means Y are provided for adjusting the rotatable shaft in t e U-shaped supporting frame; that simple and dependable as Well as adjustable frictional vmeans are provided for maintaining the rotor element in its rotatably adjustable position; that simple means are provided for effecting a vernier adjustment of the rotor element relative to the stator element; and that other features and advantages are present in my invention which combine to make my condenser a very simple, Adurable and inexpensive one to manufacture and whose operation is very efiicient.

While I have described and illustrated a particular embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not Wish to be limited to the exact structure as shown and described, as many changes and modilications will readily suggest themselves, therefore, it is to be understood that I intend to cover all 70 and 71 intethat which may come within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is':-

1. A device of the class described including a tired elementV comprising a'plurality of c0n ducting members, L shaped supporting-members having a plurality of'slots adapt-ed to receive said conducting members, whereby said conducting members -are supported and' uniformly separated from `each other by said L shaped supporting members and secured thereto to form 'a' single'xnountable unit, a U-shaped supporting frame, and adjustable means for adj ustably supporting said unit on said supporting frame.

9.. A device of the class described including a plurality" of conducting' plates, Lesbaped conducting 4members provided with yopenings and adapted to receive said-conductinfr-'plates to' support and uniformly'space sai lates fromjeachothe'r, means for permanent y securing said plates to said Lrahapedconducting members to form a single mountable'unit, non-conducting members secured to a pairfof said L: shaped'f conductingjmembers': 1af supporting frame, a rotor'element rotatably supported in said frame, and means for adjustabl supporting said single mountable unit on sai supportingfraine 1n operative relation to said rotor element.

A device of the class described including a supporting frame, a rotor element having a plurality of uniformly spaced plates, a stationary element having a plurality of uniformly spaced plates, individual means for each of said elements for rotatably sup porting said rotor element and securin said stationary element on said supporting `ame, and individual adjusting means for each of said elements so that the plates of one may be adj usted relative to the plates of the other of said elements.

4. Avdevice of the class described including a U-shaped supporting member, a rotor element having a pluralit of conducting members, a rotatable shaft or rotatably supporting said rotor element between the legs of said Ushaped supporting member, a stationary element having a plurality of conducting members, means or adjustably supporting said stationary element between the legs of said U-shaped supporting member,'

and means for adjusting said rotor element ou said rotatable shaft so that the plates of said rotor element are operatively disposed relative to the plates of said stationary element.

n device of the class described including a. U-shaped mounting member, a fixed element disposed between the legs of said mounting member, means for supporting said iixed element on saidv mounting frame, a rotor element, a rotatable shaft for said rotor element, bearing members secured in the legs 0f said mountingn'iember for supporting said shaft, adjustable means for adjusting said shaft and adapted to 'engage said bea ring for holding said shaft in its adjustable position, and means for adjust-ing said rotor element on said shaft and also relative to said stationary element.

(LA device of the class dtscribedincluding a mounting frame, aplate element supported on said frame in a fixed position. a rotor plate element, a rotatable shaft for said second element, means for rotatably supporting said shaft in said frame,'means for ad- `justing said shaft and rotor plate element relative to said first plate element, and means for adjusting said rotor plate element on said shaft relative to said first plate element without adjusting said shaft;

7. A device of the class described includ ing a mounting'frame, cylindrical membeis secured in said frame, a rotor element, a shaft, positioned in saidcylindrical members for supportingsaid rotor element, ai`- dial Secured to -said shaft fou-rotating. the. same',.adju'st 'able frictional meansnencompassing one-.of said. cylindrical members, and an arm integral with saidrictional means to operatively connectsaid dial=-with. said i adjustable. -.ric-

tional means=for holding said shaft and rotorelement in any of the rotatable positions, and a member secured to said shaft and a l'lange integrally formed with said member adapted to engage said frame to limit the amount of rotation of said shaft and rotor element.

8. A device of the class described including a mounting frame provided with openings and having tube members secured in and extending through said openings, a tixed element supported'by said mounting frame, a shaft rotatably supported in said tube members, a dial forsaid shaft for rotating the same, a rotor element secured to said shaft, a non-conducting member secured to said shaft and adapted to rotate said shaft to rotatably adjust said rotor element relative to said fixed element, a non-conducting inember having frictional engagement with one of said tube members, adjustable clamping means for clamping said non-conducting member on said one tube member, an arm integrally formed with said clamping means and having its one end provided with a slot,

`a rotatable member rotatably supported in said dial, an eccentric member for said last member adapted to engage said slot in said arm, said eccentric member when rotated adapted to effect a vernier adjustment of said rotor element through the medium of said dial and shaft.

9. A device of the class described including :i mounting frame, a fixed element and supporting means for securing said fixed element to said frame, cylindrical members secured in and extending through openings in said frame, a rotatable shaft rotatably supported in said cylindrical members, a rotor element secured against rotation on said shaft and in operative relation with said fixed element, means for adjusting said rotor element on said shaft and also relative to said fixed element, frictional means for one of said cylindrical members, means for adjusting said frictional means, said last means having an Varm member provided with an opening, a dial for said shaft for rotating the same, an eccentric member rotatably supported by said dial and adapted to engage the opening in said arm member, said eccentric member operable to effect an intinitesimally rotatable movement of said dial and'said rotor element, while said arm member remains inert.

.10. A device of the class described 4including a mounting frame, a shaft rotatably supported by said frame, a rotor element secured yon said shaft against rotation, means for adjusting said rotor element on said shaft, a dial member for rotating said shaft and rotor element, means for Holding said shaft and rotor element in its rotatably adjusted position,and other means including an eccentric member operatively connected with said first means and associated with said dial for'efn fecting a Vernier adjustment of said dial and shaft.

l1. A device of the class described including a mounting frame, bearing members supported by said frame, a shaft rotatably sup- :i:

ported in said bearing members, a pair of cylindrical members adapted to maintain said shaft in position, a dial secured to said shaft for rotating said shaft, and a flange formed integrally with one of said cylindrical members adapted toengagc said frame to limit the amount of rotation of said shaft and said dial, means for frictionally engaging one of said bearing members, adjustable means for adjusting the frictional engagement of said frictional means and said one bearing member, a member integrally formed with said adjustable means and provided with an opening, an eccentric member for engaging' said opening, means for rotatably supporting said eccentric member, and means for rotating said eccentric member to effect a limited movement of said extending member to cause vernier movement of said dial and shaft.

Signed by me at Chicago, in the county of Cook, State of Illinois, this 21st day of June, 1924.

HARRY H. IDE. 

